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Gaming out Russia’s future

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

All eyes are on Moscow — but no one knows what they’re looking at. Are there more uprisings in the works? Will Vladimir Putin escalate his brutality in Ukraine to compensate? Are his nukes secure? Will everything somehow return to a tense, war-time status quo? These types of questions have gripped conversations after a failed mutiny saw the Wagner Group’s mercenaries march within hours of Moscow before turning back. While Putin and Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin continue to spin dueling narratives about the rebellion, one thing appears certain: the Russian leader’s veneer of invincibility has shattered. That does not mean the end of the Putin regime is imminent. But a host of hard-to-imagine and even bizarre scenarios are now being teased out as everyone speculates over what comes next.There are “more unknowns than knowns,” said a senior Central European diplomat, who like others was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive security matters. POLITICO lays out ...

We have reached the point of maximum Russian danger

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

Ivo Daalder, former U.S. ambassador to NATO, is president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and host of the weekly podcast “World Review with Ivo Daalder.”History unfolds in bursts — there are long periods where little changes, then suddenly the world is turned upside down. The 24-hour armed rebellion that saw a mercenary army traverse 800 kilometers toward Moscow, uncontested, has changed everything.Russian President Vladimir Putin now faces the gravest crisis of his quarter-century presidency. His weakness has been exposed: None of Russia’s security forces stood in the way of the Wagner Group’s march to Moscow, and those who did were swiftly dealt with. The people of Rostov-on-Don — the logistical hub of Russia’s army in the south, which Wagner occupied without any resistance — greeted the mercenaries with waves and open arms. And it required an outsider, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, to convince Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin to stand down.Power is as much abou...

Under-fire Scottish leader Humza Yousaf takes plea for closer EU ties to Brussels

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

BRUSSELS — He emerged as the leader of the Scottish National Party following Nicola Sturgeon’s messy exit from the political scene earlier this year — and just as a funding scandal engulfed his party.But, despite the firestorm at home, Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf is in Brussels with a clear message: Don’t close the door to Scottish membership of the European Union.In an interview with POLITICO, Yousaf said that Scotland is ready and waiting to join the EU if it becomes independent — a priority he believes has become all the more relevant since Brexit.“Sixty-two percent of Scotland voted to stay within the European Union in 2016. But unfortunately we have been taken out of the EU,” Yousaf said. Scotland rejoining the EU would by no means be an easy road. After a failed referendum attempt in 2014, there is the fact Scotland is still a part of the United Kingdom, with no clear route to a second vote.Were it under his control, Yousaf said, “We would have had [a sec...

Bulgaria must rid its spy services of Russia-backed agents, says head of leading party

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

SOFIA — Bulgaria must prioritize an overhaul of its security services and flush out Moscow-backed agents if it hopes to succeed in its ambitious plans of rooting out organized crime and corruption, according to Kiril Petkov, whose reformist alliance is currently the main force in a new government. The 43-year-old leader of the We Continue the Change party — which has formed an anti-corruption alliance with the Democratic Bulgaria party — told POLITICO at his party’s headquarters in Sofia that the intelligence services desperately needed reform. In the chaotic, often violent, years following the fall of Communism, agents from Bulgaria’s state security apparatus came to play an outsize role in the creation of a powerful mafia — engaged in extortion, narcotics and arms dealing — that still has a pervasive hold on national politics and the judiciary. Many of the state security apparatchiks-cum-mobsters who came to prominence had close ties to Moscow. “I think there are embed...

De La Cruz and Segura homer, Marlins pound out 19 hits in 10-1 rout of Red Sox

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — Bryan De La Cruz hit a two-run home run, Jean Segura added a solo homer and the Florida Marlins beat the Boston Red Sox 10-1 on Tuesday night.The Marlins, winners of four of their last five, finished with 19 hits.Jazz Chisholm contributed three RBIs in his return from a 38-game absence with a right turf toe injury. Garrett Cooper added two RBIs, Jorge Soler had an RBI double, and Joey Wendle finished with four hits.Luis Arraez, who entered the day with a .399 average, struck out for the first time since June 14. But he had a single and RBI double to extend his hitting streak to 10 games.Reigning NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcántara (3-6) came in having allowed five-plus runs in six starts this season. He was strong over seven innings, giving up one run and six hits while striking out five. It was his seventh time this season pitching into at least the seventh inning.Alex Verdugo provided the lone RBI for the Red Sox, losers of three straight and five out o...

Celtics, Patriots players join Fanatics for ‘Merch Madness’ fan gear giveaway at Gillette Stadium

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

Fanatics and the New England Patriots hosted a local Merch Madness: Fan Gear Giveaway event for invited guests from local Boys & Girls Clubs at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday that drew Pats and Celtics stars.More than 300,000 pieces of licensed apparel (with a retail value of approximately $15 million) will be donated to underserved youth and their families in markets across the country. The merchandise donated includes a combination of jerseys, T-shirts, hoodies, hats, jackets and more.Attendees included Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, Patriots defensive backs Jonathan Jones and Jalen Mills, hip-hop star Lil’ Baby, Boston Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Grant Williams.

Lakeville convenience store clerk arraigned for allegedly trying to redeem stolen lottery ticket with $3M prize

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

A 23-year-old woman has been ordered held on $10,000 cash bail after prosecutors say she tried to cash in a $3 million Massachusetts state lottery ticket that was never hers to claim.Carly Nunes is accused of trying to cash in the ticket in January after a man came into the Lakeville convenience store where she used to work, bought potato chips and lottery tickets that he forgot to grab before leaving, according to court documents.Soon after, prosecutors say another customer came in and handed the tickets back to Nunes, who was caught on surveillance camera with her boyfriend and her coworker, Joseph Reddem, celebrating after attempting to redeem the ticket at the state lottery headquarters.When state police pulled the store’s surveillance video, they found that neither Nunes, her boyfriend, or her coworker bought the ticket.After weeks of canvassing, the ticket’s rightful owner, Paul Little, was located and now he stands to take home the prize money.He said, “I fi...

Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies play on at Wrigley Field in spite of ‘very unhealthy’ air alert

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

The Chicago Cubs have played in worse-looking conditions at Wrigley Field than Tuesday night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies.Few can forget the Cubs game against the Atlanta Braves in April 2018 when the wild chill was 25 degrees and players were drenched from the howling rain and a hawk wind in their face the entire afternoon. The Braves blew an eight-run, eighth-inning lead, and cried about the conditions afterward. “If we all don’t come out of here with pneumonia I think we’ll be alright,” Braves reliever Luke Jackson said.But sometimes looks are deceiving. The air quality in Chicago on Tuesday was at a level deemed “very unhealthy” by the Illinois EPA due to smoke from the wildfires in Canada. Commissioner Rob Manfred’s office and the MLB Players Association convened during the day to determine whether to postpone the game, but opted to play on.The collective bargaining agreement dictated the decision on such a cancellatio...

13 live parrots seized at US-Mexico border

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A driver was detained at the San Ysidro Port of Entry after attempting to smuggle 13 live yellow-headed parrots, authorities said.The seizure occurred June 16 when U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers searched a 2010 sedan driven by a 26-year-old man applying for entry into the U.S. from Mexico, border officials said.During the inspection, CBP agriculture specialists found 13 yellow-headed parrots hidden in two duffel bags in the trunk of the vehicle, according to CBP. SeaWorld closes ‘Electric Eel’ rollercoaster after reported injury “CBP enforces hundreds of laws at the border for more than 40 different government agencies, in order to help stop smuggling attempts like these which can lead to trafficking of possibly endangered species,” said Sidney Aki, CBP Director of Field Operations in San Diego. “Smugglers attempt to deceive CBP officers with no consideration for the health and safety of the animals; CBP aims to continuously enforce USDA and CD...

Man charged for fleeing scene of fatal crash that killed woman, 73, in Vaughan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

A man that walked away from a two-vehicle car crash in Vaughan that took the life of a 73-year-old woman was arrested and is facing charges nine months later.The collision occurred on September 30, 2022, on Highway 400 near Rutherford Road.Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said several witnesses reported seeing a red Volkswagen Jetta travelling at a high rate of speed at around 3 a.m. that morning when it rear-ended a minivan carrying four people.Those three people suffered only minor injuries, but a 73-year-old woman from North York was pronounced dead at the scene.Fatal collision #Hwy400/Rutherfoed Rd. 73 yr female from North York pronounced deceased at the scene, three others to hospital with minor injuries. #AuroraOPP asking for the driver of the red VW to call a lawyer and turn themself in. Investigators following up on tips now. pic.twitter.com/ysxzplACKU— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) September 30, 2022OPP said the driver of the red Volkswagen...